Has been lonely since Louise's visit. Tried to bribe James to leave them alone. Spent a few days at uncle's home near other families from Virginia. Aunt hosted a "literary" at which a truly atrocious singer did twelve songs. Climbed the windmill in the evening and enjoyed the sight of moonlight glistening on ponds and corn tassels. Had to pull off skirts to climb down when a storm approached. Roscoe away haying, but when he gets back they will go up the river to their island. Baby brother Jack has been ill. Please greet a certain blonde [Louise?] if she sees her. Drove her about the countryside with one hand or none, but she didn't object. Still dreams about it. Don't read that part to Ned [Ellen] and Frances. Cather [Stout #15]
Sorry for previous letter. Ironic to be called bohemian, considering present hardworking life. Has been on a picnic to Erie and an excursion on the river; returning by moonlight, admired the glow of the steel furnaces and was serenaded by a Princeton boy. Recited college composition on Carlyle at an afternoon tea and was at once welcomed into the social set. Axtells are kind but not warm; resemble the Pounds. Willa [Stout #29]
Has been in the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. Has he seen Alice Meynell's review in the Manchester Guardian? Will have another book ready by the end of the year, probable title "The Blue Mesa." The book on the Southwest to come after that. Is shutting last year behind her. Glad to receive his check. W. S. C. [Stout #365]
Interested in her new efforts in play production. Looking forward to seeing her piece [probably "Did It Really Happen?"] in Smart Set. What is she going to do with the Spoon River poet in her anthology? [The "anthology" was a series by Akins published from Feb. 19 to Aug. 13, 1915, in Reedy's Mirror, St. Louis. The series was to have been published in book form but was not until 1994, under the title In the Shadow of Parnassus: A Critical Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, edited by Catherine Parke.] He is beneath comment. P.S.: Sending some poems not in April Twilights. Novel finished and being set in type. W. S. C. [Stout #415]
Glad he likes "Grandmither." Seldom writes verse. Unfortunately, the poems Monroe included in her noted anthology [The New Poetry, 1917] were garbled. Sorry to have been without a telephone, so missed hearing from him when he was in town. Willa Cather [Stout #450]
Feels generously treated in her anthology [series of articles Akins anticipated publishing in book form]. Agrees that Spoon River is realistic, but it shouldn't have to be so harsh. Hates the syntax. W. S. C. [Stout #466]
Had a wonderful voyage. Edith Lewis not so ill as usual. Enjoyed reading her novel on the way over. Several memorable characters and strong sense of community dynamics. Paris is lovely. Staying just across the river from the Louvre. Veterans in the park are a reminder of the price for such a beautiful civilization. Willa Cather [Stout #507]
...Now just parents and one nephew. It has been a wonderful Christmas. May go to Tucson, back to New York by March. Probably will not live there again. Going skating on the river. Willa [Stout #662]
Gives permission to use "Spanish Johnny" but only as printed in April Twilights, not the garbled version in the anthology edited by Harriet Monroe. Is glad she likes Archbishop. Many people don't because they find it defies classification. Willa Cather [Stout #908]
What a splendid Christmas box! Children delighted by everything. Brothers Roscoe and Douglass there for a few days. Lovely snowy weather. Parents well. Feels like a farm person at heart. Will probably leave New York for good. Will go on to Arizona in a couple of weeks. Going skating on the river this afternoon. Happy New Year. W. S. C. [Stout #916]
